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What do you do to keep control over plastic grocery bags?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by bobc, Mar 6, 2005.

  1. bobc

    bobc New Member

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    On just about every other new car, there are cool little hooks scattered about the cargo area and even the passenger compartment that one hooks the handles of the plastic grocery bags on. These bags, through their wonderful design and the even better Law of Entropy, have a wonderful habit of just flopping open allowing tomatoes and canned goods to freely roam around the inside of the car unless the bags are held upright.

    I've installed one of those stick-on plastic hooks on the side of the glove box facing the passenger door. But, it has its drawbacks.

    What have you done to keep these beastly things under control?

    Yes, I know, you want me to use brown paper bags. Well, I actually use cloth bags so I still have the same problem...

    Thanx,
    -bob
     
  2. victor

    victor New Member

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    Re: What do you do to keep control over plastic grocery bags

    I place them under the horizontal or inside the vertical luggage nets.
     
  3. Rick Grahn

    Rick Grahn New Member

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    I bought a horizontal cargo net that drapes across the entire floor of the cargo area. I holds groceries/bags quite secure.
     
  4. LisaMarli

    LisaMarli Member

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    I use a copy paper box. You know, the ones that hold ten reams of paper, usually tossed by your office. Low tech and cheap put it gets the job done.

    Lisa
     
  5. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    Since i transport items for my job.. i use blankets.. quilts are nice and soft.. and nothing moves with a quilt taking up the extra space in the back
     
  6. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

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    A great idea, Lisa! I will do just that. Thanks!
     
  7. TucsonPrius

    TucsonPrius Member

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    I, too, use the horizontal and vertical cargo nets.

    Originally, I hesitated buying the vertical net, as I thought it would be of minimal use, but I was wrong. It worked so well, I got the horizontal net soon afterwards. Both are great to keep things from sliding around in back.

    Thanks,
    Shawn
     
  8. LisaMarli

    LisaMarli Member

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    Unfortunately 1977 Hondas and 1993 Ford Escorts (both wagons) didn't come with nets and that is where I learned to use copy paper boxes. :)

    I will be buying nets for the Prius (when ever it shows up, mumble, mumble, mumble). But will probably still be using the copy paper box as well. Hey, it still works.

    Lisa
     
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I use the vertical nets. The lack of grocery bag hooks is annoying.
     
  10. Prius Maximus

    Prius Maximus Senior Member

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    Re: What do you do to keep control over plastic grocery bags

    Just say no to plastic bags. I use paper bags. No problems unless they are packed bad.

    The paper gets recycled or used as fire starter or for doggie paper.
     
  11. t'rants

    t'rants New Member

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    Re: What do you do to keep control over plastic grocery bags

    I've got a set of re-usable shopping bags, they do a lot less spilling of their guts than plastic does– I'm still waiting on my Prius, gotta do what I can to curb petro-chemicals use!

    http://www.ecolution.com/products/details....0Bags&item=HSB4
     
  12. bobc

    bobc New Member

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    Re: What do you do to keep control over plastic grocery bags

    Just to reiterate from the original post:

    "Yes, I know, you want me to use brown paper bags. Well, I actually use cloth bags so I still have the same problem..."

    Here's couple of solutions that I've been using but not that happy with them. Thus, the question to you all. I keep my rear seats folded down 99% of the time. So, I picked up a plastic hook to hang off of the head rest. It's made to go over the top of a door.
     
  13. BobA

    BobA New Member

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    Re: What do you do to keep control over plastic grocery bags

    Lisa, I'm with you.. I sold printing paper and always had a copy paper box or two in my truck... when I moved I boxed everything in copy paper boxes.. they are all the same size and if you load them right arent too heavy... as for the grocery bags in the Prius.. even not tied in it's no where near as tough as a pickup with a bed liner... just don't go around corners fast... :lol:

    Bob Andersen
     
  14. skruse

    skruse Senior Member

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    Re: What do you do to keep control over plastic grocery bags

    Never accept or use plastic grocery bags. They are a scourge and many states and countries have prohibited their use. We use high thread count canvas bags (reusable, washable) - often times received free through promotions. We receive $0.05 at check out for each of our bags used at the grocery store (vs. taking plastic or paper bags).

    For travel, full cloth bags are lined up at the very back, behind the rear seat and against the hatch back door. Groceries travel very well.
     
  15. jimofdg

    jimofdg New Member

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    Re: What do you do to keep control over plastic grocery bags

    Lily Tomlin once said (long before Steven Wright could have said it, though it sounds like him):

    "I bought a wastebasket. I brought it home from the store in a bag. When I got home I put the bag in the wastebasket." [end quote]


    Usually I use plastic bags. The store takes them back for recycling. I can also recycle other plastic film there (such as the bags around my daily paper or laundry), that my curbside recycling pickup refuses.
     
  16. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    I use string bags too.

    I have the vertical cargo net. Haven't really used it for anything.

    Today I kept some concrete flower urns from rolling around using the horizontal cargo net. I see great potential for this gadget. But not for keeping groceries from rolling out of the bags. Besides...I see much potential for potatoe chip crumbs.

    I have the cargo TOTE. In fact...two. I'll be putting my string bags in those. I can fit 8 bags in the actual tote and then two more in each side area where the totes will keep them in place. Copy boxes are fine and free, but the area is a big large if you only have one bag. But at least the spillage is contained.

    BTW my salesman bought me my first cargo tote as a gift. I bought the second because I found it so useful and also found I could fit two easily in the cargo area.
     
  17. 8AA

    8AA Active Member

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    I bought a collapsible cargo tote at Target. It keeps things from rolling around, and if I need the room for something large, it folds up to fit in the hidden compartment under the floor.
     
  18. Gen2

    Gen2 Member

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    Stay under the speed limit and the bags won't flop over as much. OK, so I was kidding (but I did test this hypothesis and it works for me :0 )

    In our quest to lower the total amout of miles we drive each year we shop less often and fill the trunk area with bags. They hold each other up fairly well. True story.

    Oh yaeh, I just realized that you said plastic bags. We stopped using plastic bags 15 years ago, so it just didn't register. We keep extra canvas bags in the sub trunk so there is always an available bag (except for forgetting to bring it in with us occasionally). The canvas bags have nice long handles/straps so we just sort of tie them up and nothing escapes (if I manage to keep it to sub-light speeds :) ).